But both Elk Grove and Tado rose to the occasion on Saturday, as the Grenadiers (173.5 points) outlasted meet host Prospect (162.5 points) in securing its second consecutive MSL title.

Hoffman Estates took third with 145 points, followed by Conant (136 points) and Schaumburg (130 points).

Tado took control of the top individual spot in the morning session, and then finished with a flurry to win the individual championship with an average of 200.10.

"The girls have put it together all season, and they have stayed strong all season," said Elk Grove coach Kim Sander. "We've had our ups and downs, but we've been able to work through it as a team, and today was truly a team effort."

Tado finished fifth at the state tournament last season, but the senior got off to a rough start this season after injuring her wrist and also adding some new techniques.

But the senior came on strong Saturday, hitting 256, 211, 202 and capping her day with a 227.

"I got my game back just at the right time," said Tado, who finished her day with five consecutive strikes in lifting the Grens to a 972. "When I realized I was in first after the morning session I was nervous, but I think it worked to my benefit. It feels amazing."

Tado had plenty of help. Senior Ashley Dolce finished third in the MSL with a 198.8 average, and rolled games of 226, 225, finishing the day with a 220.

"The key was really working together," said Dolce of an attack that featured only one game under 900 points. "We just wanted to keep each other up. It was a great way to end our senior year."

Prospect was nipping at Elk Grove's heels all day, with senior Allison Walsh leading the charge.

Walsh finished second individually in the MSL with an average of 199.13, and the senior saved her best for last in rolling a series-high 257 in the last game.

"That felt good," said Walsh of her final surge. "We're not disappointed at all, we worked really hard and Elk Grove just beat us. I didn't really think too much about individual performance -- today it was all about the team."

"We were battling all day long, but we just struggled in that fourth game," said Prospect coach Greg Troyer of the Knights effort which included a final game of 972. "I was proud of the way the girls came back."

Buffalo Grove senior Mariah McVay entered the tournament with the top average (199.39), before finishing in fourth place with a final average of 196.38. The Bison senior's tournament high game was 214.

"When I have competition it makes me do better," said McVay who recorded a season best high game (279 pins) earlier in the season. "Overall I'm happy with how I performed; I just have to keep working."

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